A look at the mysterious appendix

Tuesday

The appendix is a little organ, about the size and shape of a hollow pinkie. But when it becomes enlarged and eventually ruptures — which is what happens during appendicitis — it can prove deadly.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean from 1804 until 1806, facing freezing temperatures, hunger, waterfalls, not always friendly Native Americans and grizzly bears during their 7,690 mile trek.

Yet they only lost one member of their group along the way. Historians believe he died of appendicitis.

The appendix is a little organ, about the size and shape of a hollow pinkie, said surgeon Dr. Steven Heneghan of Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, N.Y.

But when it becomes enlarged and eventually ruptures — which is what happens during appendicitis — it can prove as deadly as grizzlies and hypothermia.

“Appendicitis prior to antibiotics was actually a very common cause of death,” Heneghan said. Now, between antibiotics and surgery, appendicitis is not often deadly.

What makes the appendix stranger, though, is its aura of mystery. No one is quite sure why people have them. But research has proven one thing – we don’t need them. Surgery always carries some risks, but once the surgery is over, there are no bad effects from not having an appendix, Heneghan said.

As for its purpose, researchers for years just thought they were leftover organs — something hanging around from our distant ancestors who needed them. But this idea has been discredited in the last few years, Heneghan said.

Scientists have found that the appendixes of fetuses in the womb release endocrine hormones, Heneghan said. No one is sure why yet, but the surprising discovery does seem to indicate that the appendix does something for babies.

And other researchers have launched a theory that the appendix may house the good bacteria needed for proper digestion, Heneghan said. Certain illnesses – such as certain viruses, food poisoning, gastroenteritis and bad cases of diarrhea — can deplete the supply of these bacteria in the intestines and throw off the digestive system’s delicate bacterial balance.

According to this theory, the appendix, which is a bit isolated from the body’s other organs, would replace the lost helpful bacteria, he said.

The appendix does serve one known, useful function, said Heneghan. But it’s manmade, not natural. During surgery on the urological system – the part of the digestive system we use to pee – surgeons sometimes use the appendix to help them reconstruct any damaged areas, he said.

Of course, there is one kind of appendix that isn’t the slightest bit mysterious. You’ll find it in the back of a book. Your teacher can tell you all about it.